Playa de los Baños Anchorage Guide
Also known as: La Atunara, La Línea anchorage, Playa de los Baños La Línea
The sandy bay at La Línea de la Concepción, on the Spanish side of the Gibraltar border, offers excellent holding on clean sand with the Rock of Gibraltar (426m) looming directly to the S. Often used as a free anchorage alternative to the pricey Gibraltar Marina (2nm). Gibraltar Bay is shared between Spain and the UK — the border is on the beach and the airport runway crosses the main road. An unusual and historically fascinating anchorage.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
36°09.8'N 005°21.1'W
Depth
4–9m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Excellent HoldingProtected From
N, NW, NE, W
Exposed To
S, SE, E
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m on clean sand. Gibraltar and La Línea provide good W/N wind shadow.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 4–8m on sand just N of La Línea de la Concepción on the Spanish side of the border. Within sight of Gibraltar. Clean sand throughout — holding excellent. Open to S/SE.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Playa de los Baños is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly — at 4–9m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (63m chain at 9m depth).
- Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds moderate throttle astern.
- Take a GPS bearing — note position once set and confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: SPADE, Rocna, Delta, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Playa de los Baños are feasible but require monitoring — exposed to S and SE and E winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 85m radius before going below. 85m on clean sand. Gibraltar and La Línea provide good W/N wind shadow.
May–October in settled conditions. Always weather-dependent in the Strait.
Navigation Hazards
- Gibraltar Airport approach path passes very low overhead — aircraft noise and wash
- Shipping in Bay of Gibraltar — radar watch essential
- Levante from E makes bay uncomfortable
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: Monitor VHF Ch 12 Gibraltar Port and VHF Ch 10 Tarifa Traffic at all times. Maintain clearance from Gibraltar airfield approach path (aircraft come very low).
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Gibraltar / La Línea (1nm)
- Restaurant: La Línea town (15 min walk): good tapas bars and market.
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Free anchorage alternative to Gibraltar Marina — dinghy into Gibraltar for duty-free provisioning.
- Gibraltar supermarkets (Morrison's, Iceland) carry British products — good reprovisioning for Atlantic crossing preparation.
A note on this guide: Data researched from multiple sailing sources and provided in good faith. Always check current weather, Tarifa Traffic VHF Ch 10, and NAVTEX bulletins before visiting the Strait area. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Playa de los Baños
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — critical in the Strait area where conditions change rapidly.
Download Free for iOS